The year is 2047 and the world has gone virtual. Most of the world’s population are plugged in and gaming online, lost in virtual worlds where your wildest dreams can become a reality. As to be expected, terrorism is rife with people known as Necromancer’s killing off gamers and extorting corporations. In Paris, it has reached critical level and a private investigator by the name of Nash (Mike Dopud) has been contracted to seek out those behind some of the attacks by high flyer Dina (Jand Badler) on behalf of the Synternis, one of the many corporations involved in the business. Will this hardened private eye be able to get the job done or will he be engulfed in this virtual dystopia.

What a surprise this was. Much like low-budget horror, I have been burnt too many times by low-budget sci-fi. Thankfully this was a breath of fresh air. The first thing you notice is just how wonderfully realised the dystopian world is in the film. Yes, there are clear nods to Blade Runner in terms of the visuals and narrative structure. Dopud’s Nash is very similar to Ford’s Deckard in his role and his look. That being said, Nash is more of a smart mouth like most cinematic private detectives. There’s also the fact that Synternis is very similar to the Tyrell Corporation and instead of replicants, we have the necromancers. Even the decrepit-cum-digital streets of Paris bare a similar resemblance. That for me is perfectly fine because aren’t most films of this nature like that? Blade Runner set the precedent for dystopian sci-fi and neo-noir. Anyway, the attention to detail makes the film extremely believable and completely immersive, even in the virtual worlds. Of course, there is plenty of CGI throughout, but I have to say that this is some of the best I have seen not only for a lower budget film, but in general. Thankfully, there are plenty of high quality practical effects and sets.

The story itself, is really quite familiar. You’re not going to get anything too unique or original, but what you do get is very solidly written and paced. I found the film to be very enjoyable overall in that regard. The only aspect that I would say didn’t grab me too much where the “in game” segments and that is purely because I was completely engrossed by in the dystopian Paris setting. Some of the characters are cliché as one expects, but they all work for the story and the overall universe. I was really impressed with Dopud’s performance and I could see more films involving Nash. He’s what you want in that sort of anti-hero private dick kinda character.

All in all, if you are engrossed by the likes of the Deus Ex video game franchise and other games such as Beneath a Steel Sky, as well as films like Blade Runner, you are in for a real treat with this one. I’m even reminded of Marc Caro & Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s work at points. Like I said, this is probably one of the best executed sci-fi films that I have seen for quite a while and it’s a classic neo-noir that will make you gasp in wonder, make you think about the world around you and like all good detective stories – nothing is quite as it seems. For a debut feature film from a man who is better known in the business for his composing, Guy-Roger Duvert has not only crafted something here that is a genuine wonder, but also has a VERY promising future.

2047: Virtual Reality, aka Virtual Revolution, is out now on DVD from High Fliers